Scotland rejects independence from UK

In a historic referendum held on 18 September 2014 the voters of Scotland rejected its independence from the United Kingdom. The result of this referendum was declared early on 19 September 2014. The referendum was held asking the Scottish voters – “Should Scotland be an independent country?”.

55.3% voters voted in favour of remaining with the UK while 44.7% voters gave their votes in favour of a free Scotland. The result thus prevented Scotland’s 307-year old relation with England.

Why this referendum was held?

Scotland has long had a testy and complex relationship with the UK. The Act of Union in 1707 joined the kingdom of Scotland with England and Wales, but many Scots were unhappy at being yoked to their longtime rival south of the border. Since 1999, Scotland has had a devolved government, meaning many, but not all, decisions are made at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh. The voice for independent Scotland started growing stronger gradually. In May 2011 the nationalist Scottish National Party, which had campaigned on a promise to hold an independence referendum, surprised many by winning an outright majority in the Scottish Parliament. In October 2012, the UK and Scottish governments agreed that the referendum would be held.

Consequentially, the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill (SIRB) was passed by the Parliament of Scotland in November 2013. This bill sat the agenda for organising the referendum to gauge the opinion of Scottish people. This was done after an agreement between the governments of Scotland and the UK. The referendum required a simple majority to be approved.

What comprises UK at present?

The term UK stands for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It includes England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The statistics of Referendum

Total Electorate : 4,283,392

Total votes : 3,623,344

Voter Turnout : 84.59%

Votes in favour of remaining associated with the UK : 2,001,926 (No Votes) – 55.3%

Votes in favour of an independent Scotland : 1,617,989 (Yes Votes) – 44.7%